Ad-hoc simple configuration

ABSTRACT

A protocol governing the operation of an ad-hoc WLAN enables each device in the WLAN to be configured as a registrar and/or an enrollee. Accordingly, each device is configurable to support both the registrar as well as enrollee modes of operations. In response to a time-driven user action, the device may be configured to enter into a registrar mode or an enrollee mode. While in the registrar mode, the device enters into an aggressive beaconing phase by setting its beacon contention window to a relatively very small value. The aggressive beaconing increases the probability of the discovery of the registrar by the enrollees. Optionally the device may prompt the user to select between a registrar and an enrollee mode of operation by displaying the option on an LCD panel.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S. provisional application No. 60/821,771, filed Aug. 8, 2006, entitled “WiFi Simple Config Design”, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to wireless communication networks, and more particularly to a protocol for establishing an ad-hoc wireless fidelity network.

Wireless fidelity (WiFi) networks are well known and are being increasingly used to exchange data. One known WiFi standard, commonly referred to as WiFi Protected Setup (WPS) or WiFi Simple Configuration (WSC), is a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) standard that defines the communication modes and the associated configuration protocols for an infrastructure WLAN.

There are three logical components in an infrastructure WSC network, namely a registrar, an access point (AP) and an enrollee. Referring to FIG. 1A, to establish a wireless communications link with legacy AP 10, WSC client 12 first seeks to acquire network credentials from external registrar 14 using an 802.11 ad-hoc network. Subsequently, WSC client 12 establishes a link to legacy AP 10 using the network credentials that WSC client 12 has acquired from external registrar 14.

Referring to FIG. 1B, AP 20 is shown as having an embedded registrar. To establish a communications link with AP 20, WSC client 22 first seeks to acquire network credentials from AP 20's embedded registrar over an 802.11 infrastructure network. Subsequently, using the acquired network credentials, WSC client 22 wirelessly connects to AP 20.

Referring to FIG. 1C, to establish a communications link with WSC AP 30, WSC client 32 first seeks to acquire network credentials using an extended authentication protocol (EAP) via WSC AP 30. WSC AP 30 relays the WSC client 32's EAP message to registrar 34 using a Universal Plug and Play (UpnP) protocol. Next, using the acquired network credentials supplied by registrar 34, WSC client 32 establishes a communications link with WSC AP 30. WSC and its communication protocols are described, for example, in Wi-Fi Simple Configuration Specification, Version 1.0a, Feb. 10, 2006, by Wi-Fi Simple Configuration Working Group in the Wi-Fi Alliance.

As electronic devices with wireless network capabilities become more pervasive, it would be desirable to enable two or more of such devices to form an ad-hoc wireless network to exchange data without using an access point.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention, a method of forming a wireless ad-hoc network includes triggering an event in response to a first action. The device is configured in a first mode if a second action is taken within a predefined time period of the first action. The device is configured in a second mode if the second action is not taken within the predefined time period of the first action. In one embodiment, the first mode is an enrollee mode and the second mode is a registrar mode. In another embodiment, the first mode is a registrar mode and the second mode is an enrollee mode. The second action may be represented by the pressing of a button on the device. If the device is configured as a registrar, its beacon contention window is set to a very small value either periodically or in response to a button press. Subsequently, the registrar starts to transmit beacons in accordance with the value of its reduced beacon contention window.

The method further includes starting a timer on the configured registrar, initiating an attempt to perform a registrar-enrollee handshake if a probe request transmitted by an enrollee is received by the registrar before the timer reaches a predefined time, and establishing an ad-hoc network with the enrollee if the attempt is successful. In one embodiment, N more enrollees may be added to the ad-hoc network, wherein N is a predefined integer greater than 1. In one embodiment, if the registrar fails to receive an enrollee probe request before the timer reaches the predefined time, the registrar is placed in an idle mode. The registrar may exit the idle mode periodically for aggressive beaconing and using a reduced beacon contention window, in accordance with a first clock period. Furthermore, the scanning period of an enrollee may be set equal to the period of the first clock.

In some embodiments, the beacon contention window of the registrar continues to be reduced so long as the registrar receives beacons from other registrars. In yet other embodiments, the registrar will not register an enrollee unless the registrar receives a PIN associated with the enrollee seeking to communicate with the registrar. The PIN entry may be performed using an optical signal, an audio signal, an RF signal, or manually by a user.

If the device is configured as an enrollee, a timer is started and the enrollee starts to scan for beacons transmitted by a registrar. If the enrollee receives a beacon from a registrar before the timer's time reaches a predefined time, the enrollee initiates an extended authentication protocol exchange with the registrar. After the completion of the exchange of the extended authentication protocol, an attempt is made to perform a registrar-enrollee handshake. If the attempt is successful, an ad-hoc network is established, otherwise the timer is reset.

In some embodiments, the enrollee is placed in an idle mode after it joins the ad-hoc network. In some embodiments, a registrar application is started on the enrollee after the ad-hoc network is established.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method of selecting a configuration mode of a device in an ad-hoc network includes in part, triggering an event in response to a first action, presenting an option to configure the device as a registrar or an enrollee, configuring the device as an enrollee if the first option is selected, and configuring the device as a registrar if the second option is selected. In some embodiments, the first and second options are presented via a display, such as an LCD panel.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a device capable of wireless communication includes means for triggering an event in response to a first action, means for configuring the device in a first mode if a second action is taken within a predefined time of the first action, and means for configuring the device in a second mode if the second action is not taken within the predefined time of the first action. In one embodiment, the first mode is an enrollee mode and the second mode is a registrar mode. In another embodiment, the first mode is a registrar mode and the second mode is an enrollee mode. The second action may be represented by the pressing of a button on the device. The device further includes means for setting the beacon contention window of the registrar to a very small value, and means for starting to transmit beacons in accordance with the reduced beacon contention window.

The configured registrar further includes means for measuring time, means for initiating an attempt to perform a registrar-enrollee handshake if a probe request transmitted by an enrollee is received by the registrar before the time measured by the time measuring means reaches a predefined time, and means for establishing an ad-hoc network with the enrollee if the attempt is successful. The registrar further includes means for adding N more enrollees to the ad-hoc network, wherein N is a predefined integer greater than 1. The registrar further includes means for placing the registrar in an idle mode if the registrar fails to receive an enrollee probe request before the measured time reaches the predefined value. The registrar further includes means for forcing the registrar out of the idle mode periodically in accordance with a first clock period. Furthermore, the scanning period of an enrollee may be set equal to the period of the first clock.

Some embodiments further include means to continuously reduce the beacon contention window of the registrar so long as the registrar receives beacons from other registrars. In some embodiments, the registrar includes means for receiving a PIN associated with an enrollee via an optical signal, an audio signal, or a manual entry by a user.

The configured enrollee further includes means for measuring time and means for scanning for beacons from a registrar. If the scanning means receives a beacon from a registrar before the time measured by the time measuring means reaches a predefined time, an initiating means initiates an extended authentication protocol exchange with a registrar. The enrollee further includes means for initiating an attempt to perform a registrar-enrollee handshake following the completion of the exchange of the extended authentication protocol. If the attempt is successful, the enrollee may establish communication over a WiFi ad-hoc network using the credentials obtained from the registrar, otherwise the timer is reset.

The enrollee further includes means for placing the enrollee in an idle mode after it joins the ad-hoc network. The enrollee further includes means for starting a registrar application on the enrollee after the ad-hoc network is established.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a device adapted to participate in a wireless ad-hoc network session includes, in part, a triggering circuit configured to trigger an event in response to a first action; a first timer; and a controller operative to configure the device in a first mode if the triggering block detects a second before the first timer reaches a known time, and to configure the device in a second mode if the triggering block does not detect a second action before the first timer reaches the known time. In one embodiment, the first mode is an enrollee mode and the second mode is a registrar mode. In another embodiment, the first mode is a registrar mode and the second mode is an enrollee mode. The second action may be represented by the pressing of a button on the device. The controller sets the beacon contention window of the device to a relatively small value if the device is configured as a registrar. Thereafter, the device transmits beacons in accordance with the reduced beacon contention window.

The configured registrar further includes, in part, a second timer. The controller performs a registrar-enrollee handshake if a probe request transmitted by an enrollee is received before the second timer reaches a predefined time. If the handshake is successful, the second timer is reset. In some embodiments, the controller places the registrar in an idle mode if the registrar fails to receive an enrollee probe request before the second timer reaches the predefined time. In some embodiments, the controller attempts to add N more enrollees to the established ad-hoc network, wherein N is a predefined integer greater than one.

In some embodiments, the controller causes the registrar to exit the idle mode periodically for aggressive beaconing using a reduced contention window, in accordance with a first clock period. In yet other embodiments, the controller continues to reduce the beacon contention window while the registrar receives beacons from other registrars. In some embodiments, the registrar includes an interface for receiving a PIN associated with an enrollee seeking to communicate with the registrar. The PIN may be received via an optical signal, an audio signal or a manual user entry.

A configured enrollee further includes, in part, a second timer, and a scanner adapted to scan for beacons transmitted by one or more registrars. The controller initiates an extended authentication protocol exchange if the enrollee receives a beacon from a registrar before the second timer reaches a predefined value. The controller attempts to perform a registrar-enrollee handshake after the completion of the exchange of the extended authentication protocol. If the attempt is successful, the controller uses the network credentials obtained from the registrar to establish communication over a Wi-Fi ad-hoc network. If the attempt is unsuccessful, the second timer is reset.

In some embodiments, the controller places the enrollee in an idle mode after the enrollee joins the ad-hoc network. In some embodiments, the controller causes a registrar application to start on the enrollee after the ad-hoc network is established.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a device adapted to participate in a wireless ad-hoc network session, includes, in part, a triggering block configured to trigger an event in response to a first action; a display panel presenting an option to configure the device as a registrar or an enrollee; and a controller operative to configure the device as an enrollee in response to a first selected option, and to configure the device as a registrar in response to a second selected option.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A-1C show various logical components of infrastructure of wireless networks, as known in the prior art.

FIG. 2 shows a pair of devices to be configured to establish an ad-hoc network, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary state transition table associated with establishing a node's configuration status, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 4 shows an ad-hoc network that includes both legacy as well as extended devices.

FIG. 5 shows exemplary actual beacon transmission times associated with the network shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows a handshake sequence between an enrollee and a registrar, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary state transition table associated with a registrar application, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary flowchart of steps carried out to form an ad-hoc wireless network between a pair of devices, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary flowchart of steps carried out by an enrollee to join an existing ad-hoc wireless network, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary flowchart showing the steps taken by a registrar to enter into an aggressive beaconing mode so as to be discovered by an enrollee, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows various blocks of a device adapted to be configured as an enrollee and/or a registrar, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an ad-hoc WLAN is established between two or more devices, such as Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), digital cameras, phones, video game consoles, etc. In conformity with a protocol governing the operation of the ad-hoc WLAN (hereinafter alternatively referred to as an ad-hoc network) of the present invention, each device in the network can be a registrar as well as an enrollee (client). In other words, in accordance with the present invention, each device is configurable to support both the registrar mode as well as the enrollee mode of operations.

In response to a user action, such as the pressing of a button or entering a soft/hard key, the device may be configured to enter into a registrar mode or an enrollee mode. While in the registrar mode, in response to either user action, such as a user button press, or otherwise periodically, the device enters into an aggressive beaconing mode by setting its beacon contention window to a relatively very small value. The aggressive beaconing increases the probability of the discovery of the registrar by the enrollees. Although the following description is made with reference to an ad-hoc WSC (WPS) network, it is understood that the present invention applies to any other ad-hoc network, WSC or otherwise.

FIG. 2 shows a pair of devices 200, 250 that are configured to establish or join an ad-hoc network to exchange data, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Assume that each of devices 200 and 250 is initially in an Idle (also referred to herein as power-save) mode to reduce battery consumption or is otherwise turned off. In response to a user triggered event, such as the pressing of a hard/soft button on these devices, e.g., button 202 on device 200 and button 252 on device 250, these devices exit the Idle mode or are otherwise turned on. In one embodiment, if within a predetermine time period, e.g., 5 seconds, of exiting the power-save mode, button 202 (or 252) is pressed again, device 200 (250) is configured as an enrollee, i.e., assumes the role of an enrollee, otherwise device 200 (250) is configured as a registrar, i.e., assumes the role of a registrar. In another embodiment, if within a predetermined time period, e.g., 5 seconds, of exiting the power-save mode, button 202 (252) is pressed again, device 200 (250) assumes the role of a registrar, otherwise device 200 (250) assumes the role of an enrollee. To establish an ad-hoc network between these two devices, one of them is configured as a registrar and the other one is configured as an enrollee. Assume that device 200 is configured as a registrar and device 250 is configured as an enrollee. Once registrar 200 is discovered by enrollee 250 and enrollee 250 completes its registration with registrar 200, enrollee 250 uses the network credentials obtained from registrar 200 to establish communication over a Wi-Fi ad-hoc network to enable exchange of data.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the same keys or buttons that are used to cause devices 200 and 250 to exit their respective power-save modes, are also used to determine whether the devices assume the role of an enrollee or a registrar. In other embodiments, the key used to force a device out of the power-save mode may be different from the one used to select the configuration of the device as a registrar or an enrollee. Once a device is configured as a registrar, to become an enrollee, the device is turned off and turned back on. In some embodiments, if a registrar does not detect an enrollee within a known time period, the registrar goes back into a power save mode. Moreover, in some embodiments, in response to a single user-triggered action, a multitude of enrollees may join the ad-hoc network after registering with the registrar.

In some embodiments, after the device is caused to exit the power-save mode in response to a user triggered event, the user is presented with an option of selecting between a registrar mode and an enrollee mode of configuration via a user interface disposed on the device. For example, if the device is equipped with a user interface, e.g., a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel, the user is prompted on the LCD panel with an option of selecting between a registrar mode and an enrollee mode of configuration. By moving a cursor to one of the displayed entries, the user selects the desired mode of operation. In a similar manner, the enrollee is also configured to wake-up from the power save mode to look for a registrar.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary state transition table 300 associated with establishing the configuration status of a device following an exit from a power-save mode, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The device remains in Idle state 302 while in power-save mode. After exiting the power-save mode, a Wi-Fi module disposed in the device is activated and a transition to Wait state 304 is made. While in Wait state 304, if within a predetermined time period the user triggers an event, such as by pressing a hard/soft key or issuing a voice command, the device is configured as, i.e., assumes the role of, an enrollee and enters the enrollee discovery phase (state) 306 to scan for a registrar. If, on the other hand, the predetermined time period expires without a user-triggered event, a transition to state 312 is made and the device is configured as a registrar to start its own ad-hoc network. The registrar transitions back to Idle mode 302 in response to a Reset signal.

If the enrollee discovers a registrar while in state 306, it transitions to enrollee registration phase 308 to start the registration process with the registrar. If, on the other hand, the enrollee does not discover a registrar while in state 306, the enrollee issues a timeout signal TMO. The enrollee may be configured to attempt to discover the registrar a predefined number of times before issuing the time out signal. If the attempt to discover the registrar is unsuccessful after the predefined number of attempts, the enrollee may create its own ad-hoc network and start a registrar application.

If the enrollee registration is successful in state 308, the enrollee transitions to state 310 and attempts to join the ad-hoc network using the credentials the enrollee has obtained from its successful extended authentication protocol (EAP) handshake. If, on the other hand, the enrollee registration is unsuccessful while in state 308, the enrollee transitions back to Wait state 304. The enrollee may also start its own registrar application while in state 310. Following the operations in state 310, the enrollee transitions back to Idle state 302 in response to the Reset signal.

In some embodiments of the present invention, to establish a secure mode of connection between an enrollee and a registrar, the user has to enter a PIN associated with the enrollee on the registrar. Upon this entry, the enrollee and registrar proceed to establish a connection. In such embodiments, the beacons transmitted by the registrar to potential enrollees contain information conveying that the registrar communicates via a PIN mode only and that the registrar will not participate in a push-button mode of an ad-hoc network session. In yet other embodiments, the connection between the enrollee and registrar is established using a Secure Push Button Configuration (SPBC) mode in accordance with which the enrollee relays a PIN to the registrar via an optical signal, e.g. LED flashes, an audio signal, e.g., audio beeps, RF signals, etc. In other words, in such embodiments, the enrollee wirelessly transmits the PIN to the registrar, thus dispensing the need for a manual PIN entry by the user.

One challenge in establishing an ad-hoc network is the discovery of the registrar when both extended (e.g., WSC) as well as legacy (non-WSC) devices are present. In order to avoid conflicts with existing standardized communications and devices, extended devices, such as WSC devices, that extend beyond the limits of the 802.11 standard, and legacy devices that comply with the existing standards and are not necessarily aware of extended standards, need to coexist in a common communication space and interoperate at times. Both legacy and extended devices must first be discovered, as described further below.

FIG. 4 shows an ad-hoc network 400 that includes a legacy device (alternatively referred to as node) 402, and WSC nodes 404 and 406. To be discovered, at predetermined times, referred to as target beacon transmission times (TBTT), all 3 nodes compete to send out their respective beacons. Each node uses a random back-off, corresponding to the number of time slots the node will delay its beacons relative to TBTTs, to determine its beacon transmission time in accordance with the well known Distributed Coordination Function Rules. In each TBTT, the node with the least random back-off transmits its beacon; the remaining nodes, intercepting the transmitted beacon, refrain from transmitting any beacons during that TBTT. In the next TBTT, the same procedure is repeated where new random back-offs are computed and the node having the least random back-off transmits its beacon. A node with a smaller beacon contention window, in accordance with the present invention, is more likely to have a smaller random back-off than a node with a larger beacon contention window. This beaconing scheme ensures that over N beacons, N/3 beacons are transmitted from each node.

FIG. 5 shows exemplary actual beacon transmission times associated with network 400 and computed with reference to TBTTs Times T₁, T₂, T₃, etc. Assume legacy node 402 has the smallest random back-off and WSC node 406 has the largest random back-off. Accordingly, since legacy node 402 has the smallest random back-off, at time (T₁+ΔT₁) legacy node 402 transmits it beacon. Time period ΔT₁ is defined by the random back-off associated with node 402. Nodes 404 and 406 receiving the beacons from node 402 remain silent and do not transmit their beacons until the next TBTT arrives. In a similar manner, nodes 404 and 406 transmit their beacons at times (T₂+ΔT₂) and (T₃+ΔT₃). Time periods ΔT₂ and ΔT₃ are defined by the random back-offs associated with nodes 404 and 406.

As is well known, the beacons transmitted by a legacy node, such as node 402 in network 400, lack the information element signal. In a WSC network, the information element signal is referred to as WPS_IE. Since in an ad-hoc network, beacon generation is a shared responsibility, if the beacon intercepted by an enrollee is the one transmitted by a legacy node, the enrollee will not discover the extended registrar and will report a failure.

Referring to FIG. 4, assume enrollee 408 is attempting to join network 400. Enrollee 408 scans for beacons by sending out a probe request and detecting probe responses or beacons transmitted by any of the registrars in network 400. If the probe response that the enrollee 408 receives does not have a WPS_IE, i.e., the received probe response is the one transmitted by legacy node 402, enrollee 408 reports a failure and abandons further attempts to join network 400. In other words, once the enrollee determines that the network from which the legacy beacons are transmitted does not have the desired extended features, the enrollee decides not to join that network. In one embodiment, following such a decision, the enrollee becomes a registrar and attempts to form its own network.

In accordance with the present invention, to increase the probability that the beacons transmitted by an extended WSC registrar are the first beacons to be received by an enrollee, the beacon contention window of the extended registrar is set to a relatively very small number. In one embodiment, the beacon contention window of the registrar may be set to a value between 0 and 15 time slots. In another embodiment, the beacon contention window of the registrar may be set to a value between 0 and 10 time slots. In yet another embodiment, the beacon contention window of the registrar may be set to a value between 0 and 5 time slots. For example, if the beacon contention window is set to zero, the probability is significantly higher that the beacon received by the enrollee is an extended WSC registrar beacon and not a legacy beacon. This will also increase the probability that as the registrar exits the power-save mode and starts sending out beacons, the registrar is discovered by the enrollee.

FIG. 6 shows, in part, the handshake sequence between an enrollee and a registrar, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The handshake includes a discovery phase followed by a registration phase. The registration phase of the handshake is similar to that of an infrastructure WSC network, and is described for example, in Wi-Fi Simple Configuration Specification, Version 1.0a, Feb. 10, 2006, by Wi-Fi Simple Configuration Working Group in the Wi-Fi Alliance. The discovery phase is described below with reference to a WSC network.

In response to a button press, or entry of a PIN on the registrar as described above, a signal called WSC_REGISTRAR_START is generated. In response, the registrar application/driver causes signal WSC_IE to be included in the beacons and probe responses of the registrar, shown as event 0. During event 1, the registrar application, e.g. a Linux or a Windows application, designates the start of a registrar session to the driver. This designation may be made in response to a button press, a user command to initiate the registrar enrollment, or a PIN entry on the ad-hoc registrar. During event 2, (i) the driver sends an ad-hoc power-save exit command to the Firmware (FW); and (ii) the ad-hoc registrar is placed in an aggressive beaconing mode. The FW controls WLAN events of the discovery phase. When placed in the aggressive beaconing mode, the beacon contention window of the registrar is set to a relatively very small value in accordance with which beacon/probe responses are transmitted by the registrar, as described above. After successful discovery of the registrar, the enrollee will send an EAP over LAN (EAPOL) frame signal signifying the end of the discovery phase, shown as event 3. Subsequently, the registration phase starts.

As mentioned above, in some embodiments, a WSC start of registrar session causes the registrar to exit the power-save mode and enter the aggressive beaconing mode, subsequent to which the beacon contention of the registrar is made very small relative to those of legacy devices. In yet other embodiments, the FW periodically places the registrar in the aggressive beaconing mode. The enrollee client may also be configured to set its scanning time equal to the periodicity of the registrar beaconing. This periodicity is configurable and represents a trade off between the registrar power savings and the enrollee client scan time.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary state transition table 700 associated with a registrar application, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. State transition table 700 is shown as having 3 states, namely Idle state 702, Discovery state 704 and Registrations state 706. The registrar remains in Idle state 702 until the user takes an action, e.g., by pressing a button, entering a PIN, issuing a voice command, etc. In response to the user action, an event WSC_REGISTRAR_START forces a transition from Idle state 702 to Discovery state 704. While in Discovery state 704, if the registrar is not discovered within a predetermined time period WSC_WALK_TMO, a transition back to Idle state 702 occurs. If, on the other hand, the registrar is discovered prior to the expiration of the time period WSC_WALK_TIME, a transition to Registration state 706 is made. After a successful registration or a failure to register, a transition from Registration state 706 to Idle state 702 is made.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary flowchart of steps carried out to form an ad-hoc Wi-Fi network between two devices, one of which will become a registrar and one an enrollee. The process starts at step 800 after which the devices are powered on (802). If a decision is made to configure the device as a registrar (804), the registrar enters idle mode 805. Next, in response to either user input, such as a user button press, or a periodic beaconing trigger (805), a timer T₂ is started (806) and the device starts to transmit beacons (808). A device configured as a registrar (804) remains in an idle mode 805 if the user does not press a button or the periodic beaconing is not triggered. While the timer's elapsed time is smaller than a predefined time T_(monitor) (810), the registrar continues to look for probe requests (812) from an enrollee. If the registrar receives a probe request from an enrollee within period T_(monitor), an attempt to form a push button configuration (PBC) handshake is made (814). If the handshake is made and ad-hoc network formation is successful (816), the registrar may establish communication over the established ad-hoc network. If the ad-hoc network formation is unsuccessful (816), the process moves back to step 804. If the registrar does not receive a probe request from an enrollee within the time period T_(monitor), the process moves back to step 808. Once the timer T₂'s elapsed time becomes greater than T_(monitor) (810), the process moves back to step 805. In one exemplary embodiment, the predefined time T_(monitor) is 120 seconds.

f a decision is made not to configure the device as a registrar (804), the device becomes an enrollee and a timer T₁ is started (830). The enrollee starts to scan for a registrar (832). While the timer T₁'s time is smaller than a predefined time T_(walk) (834), the enrollee continues to look for probe responses from a registrar (836). If the enrollee detects a probe response from a registrar (836), the enrollee checks to see whether other registrars are present (838). If the enrollee detects no registrar or more than one registrar, the process moves back to step 830. If the enrollee discovers no registrar or more than one registrar, the enrollee may make N more attempts, where N is a predefined integer, to discover the absence or presence of one or more registrars. If following the expiration of N attempts, the enrollee discovers no registrar or discovers more than one registrar, the enrollee may proceed with creating its own ad-hoc network and starting a registrar application. Only if the enrollee discovers a single registrar, does the enrollee proceed to register with the discovered registrar. If the enrollee detects a single registrar, it initiates an EAP exchange (840), and attempts to perform a PBC handshake (842). Thereafter, following a successful handshake and ad-hoc network formation (844), the enrollee may attempt to use the network credentials obtained from the registrar to join the network after registration. After an enrollee joins an ad-hoc network, if the enrollee is capable of serving as a registrar, the enrollee may attempt to establish its own network in conformity with which the enrollee periodically lowers its beacon contention window and attempts to add more enrollees. If the enrollee does not detect a probe response from a registrar within period T_(walk), the enrollee starts its own registrar application to become a registrar (806).

FIG. 9 is an exemplary flowchart of steps carried out by an enrollee to join an existing ad-hoc network. The process starts at step 900 following which the enrollee is powered on (902). After a timer T₁ is started (930), the enrollee starts to scan for a registrar (932). While the timer T₁'s elapsed time is smaller than a predefined time T_(walk) (934), the enrollee continues to look for probe responses from a registrar (936). If the enrollee detects a probe response from a registrar (936), the enrollee checks to see whether other registrars are present (938). If the enrollee detects no registrar or more than one registrar, the process moves back to step 932. If the enrollee discovers no registrar or more than one registrar, the enrollee may make N more attempts, where N is a predefined integer, to discover the absence or presence of one or more registrars. If following the expiration of N attempts, the enrollee discovers no registrar or discovers more than one registrar, the enrollee may proceed with creating its own ad-hoc network and starting a registrar application. Only if the enrollee discovers a single registrar, does the enrollee proceed to register with the discovered registrar. If the enrollee detects a single registrar, it initiates an EAP exchange (940), and attempts to perform a PBC handshake (942). Thereafter, following a successful handshake and ad-hoc network formation (944), the enrollee may attempt to use the network credentials obtained from the registrar to join the network after registration. After an enrollee joins an ad-hoc network, if the enrollee is capable of serving as a registrar, the enrollee may attempt to establish its own network in conformity with which the enrollee periodically lowers its beacon contention window and attempts to add more enrollees.

As described above, in an ad-hoc network, battery consumption is generally a major design factor. Accordingly, each registrar is periodically placed in the power-save mode to save battery consumption. FIG. 10 is an exemplary flowchart showing the steps taken by a registrar to enter into an aggressive beaconing mode so as to be discovered by an enrollee. Following the start of the process at step 1000, a determination is made as to whether it is time for the registrar to generate beacons (1002). If it is determined that the registrar is required to generate beacons (1002), parameter T_(monitor) is set to twice the value of TBTT. Next, the registrar exits the power save mode, starts a second timer T₂ (1006), and reduces its beacon contention window (1008). While in an aggressive beaconing mode, i.e., reduced beacon contention window mode, the registrar listens for beacons from other registrars. So long as the registrar detects beacons from other registrars (1010), the registrar does not generate its own beacons, and continues to reduce its beacon contention window (1008). However, if the registrar does not detect beacons from other registrars, it generates its own beacons using its last beacon contention window (1010). Following beacon generation, if timer T₂'s time is determined as being greater than T_(monitor) (1012), the registrar resumes the power-save mode and resets its beacon contention window to its starting value (1022). While timer T₂'s time is determined as being smaller than T_(monitor) (1012), the registrar continues to look for probe requests from an enrollee (1014). If the registrar detects an enrollee probe request, it waits for an EAPOL_START frame (1016) and performs a handshake (1018). Next, if the registrar determines that a count of the registered enrollees is less than a predetermined count N, the process moves to step 1012 to register more enrollees. If, on the other hand, the registrar determines that all N enrollees have been registered, the registrar resumes the power-save mode and resets its beacon contention window to its starting value (1022).

FIG. 11 shows a block diagram of a device 1100 adapted to be configured as an enrollee and/or a registrar, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Device 1100 is shown as including, in part, a triggering block 1102, timers 1104, 1110, a control block 1106 and a scanner 1108. Triggering block 1102 is configured to trigger an event in response to a user action. For example, when device 1100 is powered on, triggering block 1102 starts first timer 1104. Control block 1106 configures device 1100 as an enrollee if triggering block 1102 detects a second user action before timer 1104's elapsed time reaches a predefined time. Control block 1106 configures device 1100 as a registrar if triggering block 1102 does not detect a second user action when timer 1104's elapsed time reaches the predefined time. Control block 1106 also modifies the beacon contention window of device 1100. Scanner 1108 scans for beacons transmitted by the registrars if device 1100 is configured as an enrollee. Timer 1110 is used to determine whether probe requests are received within a given time period if device 1100 is configured as a registrar. Timer 1110 is also used to determine whether probe responses are received within a given time period if device 1100 is configured as an enrollee.

Each of the blocks described above can be implemented using circuitry. As used herein, the term “circuitry” refers to a pure hardware implementation and/or a combined hardware/software (or firmware) implementation. Accordingly, “circuitry” can take the form of one or more of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic controller, a programmable logic array, an embedded microcontroller, and a single-board computer, as well as a processor or a microprocessor and a computer-readable medium that stores computer-readable program code (e.g., software or firmware) executable by the processor or the microprocessor. Also, the “circuitry” can be one or more than one component, as the functionality of the “circuitry” can be distributed among several components in the system.

The above embodiments of the present invention are illustrative and not limiting. Various alternatives and equivalents are possible. Other additions, subtractions or modifications are obvious in view of the present disclosure and are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A method of forming an ad-hoc wireless network, the method comprising: triggering an event in response to a first action taken on a device; configuring the device as one of an enrollee and a registrar if a second action is taken on the device within a first predefined time of the first action; configuring the device as the other of the enrollee and the registrar if the second action is not taken on the device within the first predefined time of the first action; and enabling communications between the device and the second device in an ad-hoc wireless network.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein enabling communication between the device and the second device comprises: setting a beacon contention window of the device to a value between 0 and 15 time slots if the device is configured as the registrar; and transmitting beacons in accordance with the set beacon contention window.
 3. The method of claim 2 further comprising: starting a timer; initiating an attempt to perform a registrar-enrollee handshake if a probe request transmitted by the second device is received by the registrar before the timer's elapsed time reaches a second predefined time, where the second device is configured as the enrollee; and establishing the ad-hoc network between the registrar and the enrollee if the attempt is successful.
 4. The method of claim 3 further comprising: adding N more enrollees to the established ad-hoc network wherein N is a predefined integer greater than
 1. 5. The method of claim 3 further comprising: placing the registrar in an idle mode if the registrar fails to receive an enrollee probe request before the timer's elapsed time reaches the second predefined time.
 6. The method of claim 5 further comprising: causing the registrar to exit the idle mode periodically in accordance with a first clock period.
 7. The method of claim 6 further comprising: setting a scanning period of equal to the first clock period.
 8. The method of claim 2 further comprising: reducing the beacon contention window while the registrar receives beacons from other registrars forming an ad-hoc network with the registrar.
 9. The method of claim 2 further comprising: receiving a PIN on the registrar, the PIN being associated with the enrollee seeking to communicate with the registrar.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the PIN is received via an optical signal.
 11. The method of claim 9 wherein the PIN is received via an audio signal.
 12. The method of claim 9 wherein the PIN is entered manually by a user.
 13. The method of claim 1 further comprising: starting a timer if the device is configured as the enrollee; scanning for beacons transmitted by the second device, where the second device is configured as the registrar; and initiating an extended authentication protocol exchange if the enrollee receives a beacon from the registrar before the timer's elapsed time reaches a second predefined time.
 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising: initiating an attempt to perform a registrar-enrollee handshake after the completion of the exchange of the extended authentication protocol; and establishing the ad-hoc network if the attempt is successful.
 15. The method of claim 14 further comprising: resetting the timer if the attempt is unsuccessful.
 16. The method of claim 5 further comprising: causing the registrar to exit the idle mode in response to a second action.
 17. The method of claim 14 further comprising: starting a registrar application on the enrollee after the ad-hoc network is established.
 18. The method of claim 1 further comprising: setting a beacon contention window of the device to a value between 0 and 10 time slots if the device is configured as the registrar; and transmitting beacons in accordance with the set beacon contention window.
 19. The method of claim 1 further comprising: setting a beacon contention window of the device to a value between 0 and 5 time slots if the device is configured as the registrar; and transmitting beacons in accordance with the set beacon contention window.
 20. The method of claim 1 wherein the first action corresponds to a pressing of a button.
 21. The method of claim 1 wherein the first action corresponds to an issuing of a voice command.
 22. A method of selecting a configuration of a device attempting to participate in an ad-hoc network session, the method comprising: triggering an event in response to a first action; presenting an option to configure the device as a registrar or an enrollee; configuring the device as the enrollee if a first option is selected; and configuring the device as the registrar if a second option is selected.
 23. The method of claim 22 wherein the first and second options are displayed on an LCD panel.
 24. A device adapted to participate in a wireless ad-hoc network, the device comprising: a triggering module configured to trigger an event in response to a first action; a first timer; and a controller operative to configure the device as one of an enrollee and a registrar if the triggering module detects a second action before the first timer's time reaches a known time, the controller further operative to configure the device as the other of the enrollee and the registrar if the triggering module does not detect a second action before the first timer's time reaches the known time.
 25. The device of claim 24 wherein the controller is further operative to set a beacon contention window of the device to a value between 0 and 15 time slots if the device is configured as the registrar, the device to transmit beacons in accordance with the set beacon contention window.
 26. The device of claim 25 further comprising: a second timer, the controller being further operative to perform a registrar-enrollee handshake if a probe request transmitted by the enrollee is received before the second timer's elapsed time reaches a predefined time, the device being operative to establish an ad-hoc network if the handshake is successful.
 27. The device of claim 26 wherein the controller is operative to reset the second timer if the handshake is unsuccessful.
 28. The device of claim 26 wherein the controller is further operative to add N more enrollees to the established ad-hoc network, wherein N is a predefined integer greater than one.
 29. The device of claim 26 wherein the controller is further operative to place the registrar in an idle mode if the registrar fails to receive an enrollee probe request before the second timer's time reaches the predefined time.
 30. The device of claim 29 wherein the controller is further operative to cause the registrar to exit the idle mode periodically in accordance with a first clock period.
 31. The device of claim 25 wherein the controller is further operative to reduce the beacon contention window while the registrar receives beacons from other registrars forming the ad-hoc network with the registrar.
 32. The device of claim 25 wherein the registrar is further configured to receive a PIN associated with the enrollee.
 33. The device of claim 32 further comprising an optical interface configured to receive the PIN.
 34. The device of claim 32 further comprising an audio interface configured to receive the PIN.
 35. The device of claim 32 further comprising a user interface configured to receive the PIN via a manual entry by a user.
 36. The device of claim 24 wherein the device is configured as the enrollee; the enrollee further comprising: a second timer; and a scanner adapted to scan for beacons transmitted by one or more registrars; wherein the controller is further operative to initiate an extended authentication protocol exchange if the enrollee receives a beacon from the one or more registrars before the second timer's elapsed time reaches a predefined time.
 37. The device of claim 36 wherein the controller is further operative to attempt to perform a registrar-enrollee handshake after the completion of the exchange of the extended authentication protocol; the controller being further operative to establish an ad-hoc network if the attempt is successful.
 38. The device of claim 37 wherein the controller is operative to reset the timer if the attempt is unsuccessful.
 39. The device of claim 37 wherein the controller is further operative to place the enrollee in an idle mode.
 40. The device of claim 37 wherein the controller is further operative to start a registrar application on the enrollee after the ad-hoc network is established.
 41. The device of claim 24 wherein the controller is further configured to set a beacon contention window of the device to a value between 0 and 10 time slots if the device is configured as the registrar, the device being configured to transmit beacons in accordance with the set beacon contention window.
 42. The device of claim 24 wherein the controller is further configured to set a beacon contention window of the device to a value between 0 and 5 time slots if the device is configured as the registrar, the device to transmit beacons in accordance with the set beacon contention window.
 43. The device of claim 24 further comprising a button adapted to receive the first action.
 44. The device of claim 24 further comprising an audio interface adapted to receive a voice command representing the first action.
 45. The device of claim 29 wherein the controller is further operative to cause the registrar to exit the idle mode in response to a second action.
 46. A method of forming a wireless ad-hoc network between a first device and a second device, the method comprising: turning on the first device; turning on the second device; starting a first timer on the first device; starting a second timer on the second device; pressing a button on the first device before the first timer's elapsed time reaches a predefined time in order to configure the first device as an enrollee; avoiding a button press on the second device before the second timer's elapsed time reaches the predefined time in order to configure the second device as a registrar; reducing the beacon contention window of the second device; transmitting beacons from the second device in accordance with the reduced beacon contention window; intercepting the transmitted beacons via the first device thereby enabling the first device to discover the second device; performing a handshake operation between the first and second devices; and forming the ad-hoc network. 